A Foto Automatica Tour of Florence

Seeking a unique travel souvenir or relic of bygone traditions? In 2011, driven by a love of analogue photography, professional set designer Matteo Sani decided to restore one of Florence’s 1950s-era photo booths. Under Sani’s attentive eye, the cabin’s internal mechanism was restored and with that, the revival of Florence’s Foto Automatica scene. These booths were once commonplace on street corners and acted as a high-speed alternative to bulkier photography set-ups.

The Charm of Slow, Precious Moments

After a quick flash of the bulb, the images are chemically processed in real-time before dropping out, four and a half minutes later, into the collection tray. The process might appear slow by today’s standards but there’s a sense of nostalgia about having to wait, patiently, for the finished product. There are no instantaneous results or replications – the strip of black and white white photos is the only documentation of those precious moments. If the machine breaks, the images are lost, and so the process is that much more coveted.

The Photo Cabin Renaissance

The restoration was such a hit that Sani proceeded to embark on an odyssey across Eastern Europe, travelling with the sole intention of finding and fixing other analogue photography cabins. There are now several of these gems scattered across Florence, and similar resurgences have taken place in other European cities (such as the Berlin Photo Automat). Whether it’s beside a gelateria serving sinful servings of pistachio ice cream or by a trendy mural in a bustling student hub, Florence’s photo cabins have been positioned in prime spots across the city.

Some of these include:

Via Santa Monaca (43.7677335, 11.2457118)

Via del Proconsolo (43.7707239, 11.2577875)

The Social Hub Hotel (Via le Spartaco Lavagnini, 43.7822253, 11.2532840)

Via dell’Agnolo (43.7708316, 11.2621645).

TWO OF THE FOTO AUTOMATICA BOOTHS

As with all vintage products, there might be periods when a photo booth is out of order. Always check online reviews in advance or pair your route with another sightseeing venture, so that all is not lost if the booth is awaiting an engineer’s inspection.

THERE ARE SEVERAL PHOTO CABINS SPRINKLED ACROSS FLORENCE

Where to Stay

We recommend staying in a centrally located hotel with easy access to one of the city’s best booths. Villa Cora, a five-star property beside Boboli Gardens, offers a serene escape from the bustling Firenze streets. Enjoy a poolside drink on the terrace or embark on a scenic stroll towards the photo booth and gelateria on Via Santa Monaca. On the other side of the river is Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, a former convent with a converted Renaissance palazzo in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Foto Automatica on Via Dell Agnolo.

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